All Aboard the Christmas Train

We stayed home this holiday break and had two amazing weeks with the four of us. We have loved every minute of it. Lots of relaxing at home,just a tiny little bit of potty training regression and a whole lot of quality time. We had booked our ticket for the Christmas train a few weeks back and we were looking forward to our big day out. Yesterday was finally train day and we had a great trip. It's an antique train about an hour from our house and it is set up in a Christmas village that has an old fashioned theme. It was like going on a little vacation for a couple hours and we all had a great time. The train is quite old so it doesn't go super fast and the boys did ask a couple times if it was over and if we could go bye bye but that's expected on a 40 minute ride. On either side of the train as you go along they have set up light displays that are all unique and beautiful. Santa even waives from one of the spots and there is a toy solider walking back and forth. Poor men must be freezing out there in the snow but they do their jobs well and act happy the entire time. I hope they are paid well! We got a bag of kettle corn that was made right in the little village, saw a little train display and went into a couple corner type gift stores. So nice to spend time out and have a great experience as a family.

 

The boys were bursting with excitement during our long 1 hr drive to the train....zzzzz

Checked in!

We saw the train as soon as we arrived and it was great! An antique train that would not be in running condition if this community hadn't taken such great care to maintain it all these years.

They're big enough to walk on their own of course but MUCH easier to contain in these little baby rollers. Cold but excited boys about to board the train. Time to park the strollers.

All aboard!

Ready for departure.

Excited for the whistle to blow!

Such a pretty train.

One of many light displays out our windows. They pumped "12 Days of Christmas" through the cars and the numbers are all in a row on either side of the car. So fun!

We had so much F U N!

After the train we walked around the cute Christmas village one more time to hit a few places we had missed. such a fun trip!

Enjoying Holiday Break!

Today we swooped up our nephews and all 6 of us, me, hubby, our boys and the nephews, all went to Jungle Java for an energy releasing outing. The boys are loving the home time but we were starting to worry that they may never go back to school if we continue to let them be home bodies every minute, so off we went. It was a great time and hubby and I especially loved it because we didn't have to climb up and go down the twisty slides because the nephews did all of the work for us! We got to stand by and watch the fun and snap a few photos.

At the top ready to come down

So proud

Next Group!

We have come a long way from the toddler area!

While we were waiting for our cookies and snacks to be ready, we stopped for a snuggle on the big chair.

These are the best nephews/cousins! We literally got to watch and relax. Hubby did have to make one trip down the slide but that's no biggie right :).

Overall we had a great morning out and everyone got to spend lots of holiday energy. Lots of family time in the days ahead and later next week is the Chrirstmas train. Holiday break is the best!

Now if we could just get back to going to sleep at a reasonable bed time!

Fml Forte

Pushy Kiss

My 3 year old son calls this a Pushy Kiss. He has absolutely no doubt in this world that this is the correct title and I will never, ever correct him. :)

Big Day Birthday

Today was a big day. It was the birthday party of my (almost) 5 yr old amazing, son. He works hard every day to overcome his developmental delays and he is just the all around coolest kid. He loved his gifts and seemed to enjoy the party, especially the cake. We took most of his gifts out of the package within an hour of opening them and had a fun day with family.

He listened to his new book on cd's while he colored in his giant coloring book.

While my Gram, his great Gram, stayed to watch The Help on his laptop.

How cute is she? When the DVD started she said "no wonder he loves his laptop, it does all this?" Yep, it plays dvd's and everything!

Overall it was a super fun day filled with pizza, cake, toys and fun. Now on to the holiday partys that start... tomorrow!

  

The Holiday Season Is Here

My boys have the most amazing teachers and therapists. We could not ask for a better group of people teaching and supporting our little dumplings everyday. This year I got each of them earrings but then I found these adorable little nail files so I put them inside the earring pouch and voila a little dolly dress wrapped up gift.

I Almost Changed My Name..

I had one of THOSE days last week and really wanted to change my name from Mom to.. anything that was a super secret. Then the day ended (hoo freakin ray) and I saw things like this

and this

And then I decided to keep my name. Mom.

Domestic for the day

I have been looking at recipes lately and decided to jump right in and try a couple yesterday. I was pretty impressed that I was actually able to follow along and that everything turned out just about how it was supposed to. My first attempt at recipes is always followed by a better second attempt but still, dinner was justttttt fine. I made spaghetti stuffed garlic bread and brownie cookie cups. I found the recipe for the bread on pinterest believe it or not so I don't remember off hand who originated it but it's for sure still up there if you want to try it. I got the brownie cups recipe on the back of the mint flavored hershey kisses which happen to be one of the many, many little sweeties that are making getting in shape just a bit more challenging. Here is what a day of cooking and baking looks like in our house.

Inspired

 

I just love this. I love looking at it each morning as I wash my dishes and get ready to start my day. This my friends, says it all!  Everyday DOES hold the possibiltiy of a miracle!

Seeing Signs

What I love the most about seeing inspirational writings on tons of things when I'm out and about is not only how cute the words look on whatever item they are on but also how I can hold on to each item and use it as a symbol. I love reminders to hope and believe and love etc. Even though I do these all day everyday I am human and sleep deprived and my plate is oh so full so these little reminders make my day whenever I stumble upon them. I found these little cuties the other night while I was out shopping and they make me happy just to look at them. I gave them to my niece because she likes that kind of stuff too and she is more in the appropriate age bracket but I snagged this pic for myself and I can surely look at her wrist whenever I would like :)

Creating Memories

Took the boys to the local arcade and I have to say I had at least as much fun as they did. I remember seeing an engaged couple on a date here the last time we went and kept thinking that me and hubby would have fun here without the kids too. In the meantime I had a blast with my boys and even though I couldn't get them to tear their eyes away from the games long enough to pose for pictures, I did capture a few goodies. Candid in this case sure does say it all!

It's That Easy!

I've always been a dreamer and the older I get and move along in this journey we call life, the more I realize that we really do make things harder for ourselves than they need to be. Perhaps if from the start when we create our dreams, goals and missions, we eliminated fear and doubt from the equation, we would get where we are going much faster. We didn't come with a handbook in this life which I often say we should have but we did come with options. When it comes to pursuing dreams and getting what we want I say "It's That Easy!" You can have everything you want and it's not hard to have everything as long as you know that you are entitled. From now on tell yourself with each obstacle you face and then overcome "It's That Easy!" Life is as easy as you choose to make it so release the drama and get into the easy.

To learn more about my It's "That Easy" coaching progam check out http://www.darceeshope.com/pages/itsthateasy.htm

Which One Are You Gonna Be

They say (who are they) out of the mouth of babes" but it's really true. I have often referenced the commercial that shows the kid spouting out wayyy TMI and the parent quickly shoving a granola bar into their mouth. We have a few of those moments but for the most part the things that come out of my 3 year old sons mouth are hysterical and creative and worthy of documenting so this is where I will do just that.

1.Me "where is your Dude shirt you just had on?"
Him "It wasn't young enough."

2. Him "Mommy I'm so sowwy, I peed in yowr bed, now it's the peepee bed, I'm so sowwy mommy.

3. He Enters out of nowhere with no introduction..
Him"mommy which one are you gonna be?"
He means which of the 22 power rangers he has in his hand or the one on T.V I'm allowed to pick whoever I want.
Me "The Pink One"
Him "Oh Pink Okay"


The new super hero of choice in our house closely behind Power Rangers is Captain America. We hadn't yet bought any figures and since my mom got them a new package of superhero undies, my little one was carrying around the still rolled underwear as though they were his new characters. So last night I went out and got him one new Captian America to hold him over for two weeks when he will be getting several for the holiday. The gun and knife that come with him are super tiny and are supposed to fit into his holster. They are teeeny tiny.

Him: Mommy put this in his fing (thing)

Me: These are so tiny I don't know if I can fit these into his holster

Him:  They awr (are) tiny, (now he's singing his own song) "they are tiny like baby raquel, they are tiny like baby raquel."

He's such a character. He loves his new baby cousin roxy ;)

 

Never Pity a Special Needs Mommy

I suppose I can only speak for myself but I'm choosing to make this general statement and believe that every other mom of a special needs child feels the same way that I do. Never feel pity for us, for me. I am the luckiest mom in the world to have both of my amazing boys. My special needs son is the hardest working, sweetest, most snuggly, cuddly, loving, smart, happy boy. He inspires me everyday and has overcome obstacles that I honestly didn't know if he would. I have learned to never doubt him because he amazes me constantly and he is kicking the junk out of this whole developmental delay thing. He has more to do for sure but he is well on his way and we know each day how very blessed we are. I tell him every single night how amazing, smart, special and perfect he is and he just smiles and lights up and hugs me because he knows it and believes it too. Now that he is talking more it is even more amazing to watch him and hear what is on his mind. Never,ever pity. I am the luckiest mom ever and would take 5 more just like this kid. His little brother is his best pest/therapist and I get the honor of being their mommy. Be happy for me because I am thrilled and think twice please before pity ever enters your mind or heart. Envy perhaps but never pity.

Not Star Struck, Success Struck!

I have always thought about the concept of being star struck. What is it about seeing someone who is in a movie or on a television show that gets everyone so excited? Why do we hold these people in such a high regard to the point that their coffee breaks or marriage demise actually lead the national news on any given day. I really have thought about this and I suppose we each have our own star struck moment but it never made sense to me the whole mob scene mentality. I do have to say though that as I get older I feel that for me it's becoming success struck. If Bill Gates or Steve Jobs or a successful entrepreneur passed by me I would be "success struck". Even though actors aren't my inspiration I do have to say that their success and their ability to perfect their role really is an inspiration. When I look at it from that perspective instead of just the frenzy of seeing someone in person who has been in a magazine or on a television show the whole star/success struck makes sense. If Brittany Spears passed me I may nod and say hello because she has done well in her endeavors but for me it's not the glam it's the idea that someone set a goal, busted their butt and succeeded at achieving their mission. That for me makes the act of being "struck" hit home. I am not star struck but I'm inspired by people who have reached their goals and that makes me absolutely success struck :)

My Wishes are simple

My wishes are simple, but I want them all to come true!

~DHM